carolinabeerguy
Member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2016
- Messages
- 23
- Reaction score
- 8
Well, I took the plunge and bought an all grain system on Craigslist (2 keggles, 2 coolers, 3 glass carboys, 4 corny kegs, grain mill, March pump, wort chiller, etc.). I've never really brewed before, so my buddy helped me out on Saturday. We did an all grain clone of Cigar City Maduro brown. Fermentation started yesterday, so it seems we at least did something right. I'm going to add some cinnamon sticks, raisins and vanilla bean to secondary in a couple weeks. Hoping it's at least drinkable. Next we're going to do an IPA in a couple weeks. I think I'm hooked.
I had a budget of $1000 and was able to get all this for $650. I'd guess there's about $2k worth of equipment so I'm thrilled. I started with a brown Ale because I wanted to do something fairly cheap because there's a strong chance it's terrible since I'm in the learning phase. I've helped brew a couple times, but this was a big learning experience. I will check back in once it's fermented out. I was lucky enough to get some suggestions from Wayne, Cigar City's head brewer, via FB message regarding how he would add the adjuncts. He recommended a muslin bag during secondary fermentation and to taste it every day until it's where I want it. Just hoping it's at least drinkable.
I had a budget of $1000 and was able to get all this for $650. I'd guess there's about $2k worth of equipment so I'm thrilled. I started with a brown Ale because I wanted to do something fairly cheap because there's a strong chance it's terrible since I'm in the learning phase. I've helped brew a couple times, but this was a big learning experience. I will check back in once it's fermented out. I was lucky enough to get some suggestions from Wayne, Cigar City's head brewer, via FB message regarding how he would add the adjuncts. He recommended a muslin bag during secondary fermentation and to taste it every day until it's where I want it. Just hoping it's at least drinkable.